Eden Forest (Part one of the Saskia Trilogy) (20 page)

what does it mean to be mortal?”

This seems a much harder question, but one image surfaces.

I know this could cause trouble from Morrick. “Mortals value

a life.” I know we have wars, but in everyday life, a life has a

value, unlike the way Morrick struck down his son so easily.

Mirium considers this. I don’t look at Morrick, but I don’t

have to, as his anger radiates off him, making its way to me.

“Sometimes it becomes necessary to take a life; it does not

mean we value it any less”

“Well, I believe you should try and disarm someone before

killing them.” This time I do look at Morrick, who looks fit

to kill me. Mirium touches his arm gently to calm him down,

which seems to work.

“If someone valued their own life, they would not attack you.

Therefore, we wouldn’t have to kill them.” I look at Tristan in

astonishment by how passionate and sure he sounds.

“But why try and kill me in the first place?” I ask Tristan.

This is something that bothers me. Clive would have more of a

reason to kill me than just that I was his half-sister or maybe he

was crazy. Tristan remains silent.

“Because, my child, you are the biggest threat that some

Saskians will ever face and the greatest gift to the rest of us.”

Now I feel double confused by Mirium’s words, but he isn’t

finished. “Some of us are willing to give up our lives to save

yours.”

“But I don’t want anyone to do that. I never asked for that,”

I say.

“It is not about what we want in life. We do not choose our

paths or our destiny; they are already chosen for us.” This is all

getting very mythical and a headache is starting to brew.

“And who chooses our paths? Because I’d like a word with

that person.”

Mirium laughs genuinely. “And tell me, what would you say

to this person?”

“That I do not want anyone to die for me. I have enough on

my conscience already.” Not completely true, but I don’t know

if I’ll ever forgive myself for Clive. He was killed because of me

by his own father.

“One day you may have the privilege of meeting our maker

to ask your question.”

No direct answer so I ask a direct question. “And what is this

maker’s name?”

Mirium smiles. “God, of course, my child.”

Religion, a very shaky subject that I’m not going to get into.

“I’m going to check on Kiar.” I excuse myself.

“I will come with you,” Neve says while walking beside me.

When we reach Kiar’s tent, he’s awake. His face breaks into

a huge smile when Neve and I sit down on either side of his cot.

His leg is freshly bandaged.

“How do you feel?” I ask while checking his temperature by

placing my hand on his forehead. It feels normal to me.

Kiar beams up at me. “Better now that you are here, nurse.”

I laugh.

“Don’t fuss over him; he only got a little bite,” Neve says,

shaking his head in pretend disgust. We laugh and joke for

a while. Neve and Kiar insult each other playfully. I yawn.

The day’s occurrences start to set in on me. I kiss Kiar’s

cheek and bid him good night, promising I’ll be back in the

morning to check on him. Neve walks me to my tent that I

share with Alana.

Great, just what I need. She’s awake when I enter. My dagger is placed on the pillow on my cot. “Did you?” I ask, picking up the dagger.

“I found it and picked it up. I was going to throw it away. It’s

a sorry excuse for a dagger.” She turns her back on me.

“Thank you, Alana.” She doesn’t answer. She’s pretending

she doesn’t care, but she does. The dagger is clean and it shines

in the torchlight from being polished. “Maybe you could show

me how to use it?” I ask.

She turns around; her face shows no emotion. “Ladies do not

fight.”

She is one to preach. “You do,” I throw back.

She huffs and sits up. “I am a servant; you are a princess. Do

you not get it yet? My life is to serve you. I am no more than

your ghost.” Sadness fills her eyes.

I shake my head. “No, Alana.”

She laughs bitterly. “Don’t be so naïve. Open your beautiful

eyes and take a good look around you. This is not an equal

society like the world you came from. It’s about your bloodline,

and you’re more important than the rest of us.” Her voice rises

in frustration. I look at her, lost for words. “You are a sorry

excuse for a princess.” She storms out of the tent.

Tears sting my eyes. Her words hurt more than I ever could

have expected possible.

That night, I think about all Alana said. I think she’s really

upset over having to be a servant, tidying up after me when she’s

such a gifted fighter.

The next morning, I go to Morrick’s tent. He raises an

eyebrow when I enter. He’s seated on a rug with Mirium,

enjoying a platter of fresh fruit.

“Ah, Sarajane, please sit,” Morrick says.

I sit crossed-legged. I don’t feel as confident now that I’m here, but I’m not going to be a sorry excuse for a princess anymore.

“Morrick, what decisions do I have as a princess?” I hold my

head high as I speak.

“It depends what it is.” He pops a grape into his mouth.

“What about jobs for people?” I ask.

“I would listen to your opinion.” I feel disappointment. My

opinion; that is all. “Why the sudden interest?” I don’t blame

him for questioning me.

“I don’t want Alana as my servant anymore.”

Morrick looks aggravated now. “Sarajane, we have important

things to discuss.” In other words, I am dismissed.

“This is important to me. Alana isn’t happy running around

after me when she was born to fight.” I hold up my hand so

he will let me continue. “I think she’s worth more than my

personal slave. She’s bright and strong, so I request you make

her a guardian.”

Morrick looks livid. “Don’t be so silly. Never in our history

has a woman been a guardian, and most certainly one with no

affinity at all.”

This was news to me. I hadn’t realised Alana had no affinity.

“I understand, but never in your history has a mortal become a

princess.” I hope I have my facts right to prove my point.

“That is different,” Morrick barks.

“Have you ever considered her gift is fighting?” I ask.

Mirium studies me. “What would you propose, Sarajane?

That we throw our rules aside on a whim?” He has a good

point.

“No, but I would hope King Morrick would at least consider

my proposal seriously. I’m not saying to change your rules. I

just think when extraordinary people are discovered, then

extraordinary exceptions should be made.”

Morrick seems stunned for a moment. “You feel very

passionate about this?”

“Yes.”

“I will consider it,” he says. I rise to leave. “Sarajane, as

for now, Alana is yours personally. Understand that you can

command her to do certain things within limitations.”

I never thought of this. I smile at Morrick and Mirium.

“Thank you.”

I rush back to my tent to tell Alana the great news, but it’s

empty. I can hear striking swords behind the tents. Are we under

attack? I creep around, keeping my head down. Tristan and

Legis are practising. Sweat soaks both of their tunics. Tristan

looks overly attractive. I stand there watching his every move

until Legis notices me.

“Princess?”

Tristan’s gaze falls upon me. I can feel a blush rise in my

cheeks. “Have either of you seen Alana?”

“She is with Kiar,” Tristan replies stiffly. He returns to

fighting. Is he jealous of Alana being with Kiar? I won’t let that

sink in or ruin my news for Alana. I find her in Kiar’s tent as

Tristan said. They’re laughing when I enter. Alana goes quiet

when she sees me.

“Have you come to check on your patient?” Kiar asks,

smiling.

“No, I’ve come to borrow your visitor.” I look at Alana; she

doesn’t budge. “Please, it will only take a moment”. Without

looking at me, she stands.

“I will only be a minute,” she tells a worried Kiar. I roll my

eyes and smile at Kiar to let him know it’s nothing serious. His

face relaxes. Does he like Alana? That would be something to

look in to.

As we enter our tent, Alana crosses her arms defensively.

“What?” she asks with a tone.

“I spoke to Morrick—”

She cuts me off. “You ran to Daddy because I upset you.”

Her words are laced with sarcasm.

“No, I requested you were made a guardian.”

This knocks Alana off completely “What did he say?” Her

eyes are wide with astonishment.

“He will consider it.”

Her face falls. “Oh.”

“But you are mine to do as I command for the moment.”

Her face turns into a snarl. “You are enjoying teasing me,

princess.”

“Alana, I want you to be my personal guard. No more picking

up after me. You’re better than that.”

“Oh… I don’t know what to say.”

I have to laugh. “That’s a first.”

She smiles back at me shyly. “Thank you so much.”

I return her smile. “You’re welcome, but it comes with terms.”

She sits on her cot, beaming. “Name them.”

I smile at her beaming face. “I always want you to be honest

with me, no matter what. You will always be with me unless I

say so.”

She gives me a curious look. “That’s it?” I shake my head.

“No, one more thing. Don’t call me princess ever again.”

Her face breaks into a smile. “Deal”. She stretches out her

hand and I shake it. “Deal. Now I think Kiar needs you.”

She blushes slightly and goes to leave. I feel pretty good about

myself. “Sarajane.” I turn around to Alana. “Thank you.” She

hugs me and races out of the tent. Maybe we can be friends.

I leave the tent. I don’t want to be on my own—my mind only

wanders to home—so I go to the fire. My mother is sitting there,

showing Navada how to make soup. I still haven’t spoken to her

properly since Morrick hit me, but if I walk away now, it’ll look

like I’m hiding and that is something I won’t be doing anymore.

My mother looks up at me with a pleading look in her eyes and

Navada just looks terrified. Why is she afraid of me?

“I am showing Navada how to make soup,” my mother says

while cutting up onions.

“I can see.” I know she’s trying to make small talk, but

now that I think about all her lies, I’m just not in the mood for

pretending. Thank God Liber, Neve, Mirium and Morrick join

us.

“We are leaving in an hour. A good friend of mine is going to

shelter us for a few days in Aquaterra.”

My mother looks surprised. “Musa is allowing us to stay in

Aquaterra? Has that ever been allowed before?”

“He understands the situation we are in and I am the king.

But no, we are the first guests they will ever have,” Morrick

says.

“Why?” This sounded weird, a place nobody was allowed